How to Clean and Care for Your Mattress: Tips for a Healthy Sleep Environment

Without sounding like a cheesy commercial, aren’t you tired of waking up every day after a long night’s sleep, only to experience instant back pain? Unfortunately, this is one of the common side effects of a poorly-maintained mattress. If you’ve been searching for the answers to less back pain and a better night’s sleep, it all comes down to the condition of the mattress you’re spending your 8 hours on, as well as the cleanliness of your room. 

The solution is regular cleaning and proper care, as this will prolong the lifespan of your mattress and create a healthier sleep environment. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the cleaning tips and techniques to clean and care for your mattress, ensuring you get a better night’s sleep and catch more z’s. 

Regular Maintenance Practices

Man fixing a board beneath his mattress before flipping it.

Having a comfortable mattress that allows for a good night’s sleep is as important as having a clean mattress. Before we show you how to clean your mattress, use the maintenance practices below to keep it comfy and well-maintained.

1. Rotating and Flipping Your Mattress

To avoid back pain and prevent sagging, it’s important to rotate and flip your mattress regularly. If you have a one-sided mattress, rotate it 180 degrees every three months. For two-sided mattresses, flip and rotate them every six months. With this simple practice, you’ll distribute the weight evenly, giving your mattress a longer lifespan and you a better night’s sleep.

2. Using Mattress Protectors

Instead of having to clean up stains, you can just throw them away. If that sounds confusing, here’s a quick explanation – a mattress protector acts as a barrier against accidents, dust mites, and other allergens, keeping your mattress clean and hygienic. Look for a waterproof and breathable protector that fits securely around your mattress. 

Cleaning Your Mattress

Close-up shot of a person vacuuming a mattress.

Now onto the cleaning steps. Follow all of the cleaning tasks below if you want your mattress to be in the best condition possible, allowing for deeper and better nights of sleep.

1. Vacuuming

Because dust, dirt, dead skin cells, and allergens are bound to accumulate over time, regular vacuuming is important. Use a handheld vacuum or an upholstery attachment to vacuum all over, including the top, sides, and crevices. 

Tip: Aim to vacuum your mattress every few months or as needed.

2. Spot Cleaning Stains

When accidents and spills happen, it’s crucial to act promptly for the best chance of removing the stain. Start by gently blotting the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much liquid as possible. Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can spread and make the situation worse. Then, depending on the type of stain, use a mild cleaning solution specifically designed for mattresses and follow the instructions on the label to clean the stain.

3. Deodorising

This is a task that will keep your mattress smelling fresh. Baking soda is a natural deodoriser that works well to absorb odours. Follow the simple steps below to add a pleasant smell to your mattress:

  • Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the entire surface of your mattress and let it sit for a few hours. 
  • Afterwards, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda. 
  • You can also add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the baking soda for a pleasant fragrance.

Deep Cleaning Methods

Steam cleaner blowing steam in mid-air.

Aside from regular cleaning and maintenance, you’ll need to deep clean your mattress every so often. Use the deep cleaning options below for the level of cleanliness you need. 

1. Steam Cleaning

Use the power of steam cleaning for an excellent clean and thorough sanitisation. Using a steam cleaner designed for mattresses or hiring professional steam cleaning services can effectively remove dirt, stains, and allergens. Follow the instructions provided with the steam cleaner and ensure that your mattress is completely dry before covering it again.

2. Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning methods are suitable for mattresses that cannot be steam cleaned. Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the mattress surface before gently rubbing it in. Let it sit for several hours to absorb odours and moisture. Then, using a vacuum cleaner, thoroughly remove the baking soda. If you have an upholstery cleaner designed for mattresses, you can use that too. Follow the product instructions for the best results.

Maintaining a Healthy Sleep Environment

Person washing their bedding in a washing machine.

Sleep is one of the most important yet underrated contributing factors to our health and well-being. To get better sleep, you need to ensure your mattress is well-maintained. Follow the steps below to achieve this goal.

1. Bedding Care

Proper bedding care is crucial for maintaining a clean mattress. Wash your sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Do so with hot water to kill dust mites and allergens effectively. Bedding protection, such as mattress pads, fitted sheets, and pillow protectors, are great investments to prolong the life of your mattress.

2. Allergen Control

To minimise allergens in your bedroom, invest in dust mite covers for your mattress and pillows. These covers create a barrier that prevents dust mites from penetrating your bedding. Additionally, don’t forget to dust and vacuum your bedroom regularly when cleaning it, to reduce the buildup of dust and allergens. You’ll sleep much better in a dust-free room, especially if you have serious allergies.

Conclusion

Follow the steps above to clean and care for your mattress, ensuring a hygienic and comfortable sleeping surface for years to come. Give yourself the gift of a good night’s sleep at the end of every day, you deserve it!

Something else you also deserve but don’t always have the time to do is clean the rest of your home. There’s a simple and convenient solution for that – expert SweepStars. Book a SweepSouth cleaning service today, next week, or next month. Whenever you need a helping hand, we’re here to fit in with your schedule and transform your home with that brilliant SweepSouth touch.

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